Ever Increasing Faith (or Faith that Grows)
Romans 12:3
God has given to each of us a measure of faith. We have the ability to exercise faith in God.
2 Thessalonians 1:3
Our faith can grow exceedingly. We must progress through different stages in the development
of our faith in God.
Lets look at some examples in the ministry of Jesus of people in different levels of faith.
NO FAITH
Jesus and the disciples in a Storm
Mark 4:35-41
Mark 4:40 But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
The disciples allowed fear to dominate them and rob them of their faith in God.
Jesus in His hometown of Nazareth
Mark 6:1-6
Mark 6:5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and
healed them.
Mark 6:6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit,
teaching.
The people looked as Jesus for who He was in the natural - a carpenter, coming from an ordinary
family. They were offended by their familiarity with Him. They were offended by His
simplicity. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24. This robbed them of ability to have faith.
LITTLE FAITH
While little faith is better than having no faith - little faith does not impress God.
Worry
Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 6:30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the
oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
When we let the worries and cares of this world rob us of our dependence on the faithfulness
of God - we end up with little faith in God. Jesus is not impressed by this kind of little faith.
Peter walking on the water
Matthew 14:23-33
Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of
little faith, why did you doubt?"
It was Peter who asked to walk on the water and Jesus did not stop Him.
I am convinced, that Jesus will allow us to do anything He did during His earthly life.
Peter's attention was on the wind and the waves - and he lost sight of Jesus, what Jesus was
doing, and what Jesus had said Peter could do when He said "come". What you pay attention
to will determine you faith.
The second miracle of multiplying bread
Matthew 16:1-12
Matthew 16:8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among
yourselves because you have brought no bread?
In spite of a previous history of experiencing a miracle of bread being multiplied - the disciples
allowed their reasoning to keep them in little faith. Do not forget your history with God.
HAVING FAITH
We must learn to have faith. Many had faith and received great miracles.
Jesus taught us to have faith in God. Mark 11:22
When having faith in God, each one of us will face different challenges at different times. We
need to push them aside, press past the hindrances to receive our miracle.
The woman who was forgiven
Luke 7:36-50
Luke 7:50 Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
This woman was unashamed to come to Jesus, demonstrate her repentance and desire for
forgiveness in front of every one else.
The woman with an issue of blood
Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your
faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour.
This woman had to break customs of being a unclean woman in public, make her way through
the crowd and act her faith to receive her miracle. She hoped against hope. She had a moment
when she touched her point of contact, she released her faith and received her miracle.
Blind Bartimaeus (near Jericho)
Mark 10:46-52
He reached out in faith, even when other told him to be quiet. He defied popular opinion.
He was absolutely clear and certain of what he wanted Jesus to do for him...when Jesus
asked "What do you want Me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."
GREAT FAITH
We must be people who express great faith in God. All of us can!
The Centurion
Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you,
I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!
The Centurion was absolutely convinced on the finality of Jesus' spoken word, "just say it and it
will be done".
The Cannanite woman
Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you
desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
This woman pressed past "theological" barriers, disciples who may have told her off, even what
could have been offenses with Jesus Himself and worshipped in full anticipation. Her's was a
determined will that could not be shaken.
